Middle East

U.S. arrests senior Kata’ib Hezbollah commander over plotted international terror campaign

This is Beirut 00:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Federal authorities in the United States have announced the arrest of Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, an Iraqi national identified in a criminal complaint as a senior commander within Kata’ib Hezbollah, a group designated by the U.S. as a foreign terrorist organization. Officials say he was arrested overseas, transferred into U.S. custody, ...

Lebanon-Israel Talks to Resume June 2 as Ceasefire Extended by 45 Days

This is Beirut 15/05 21:25 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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The United States announced Friday that Lebanon and Israel concluded two days of “highly productive” talks in Washington, agreeing to extend the April 17 ceasefire by 45 days as negotiations continue amid ongoing cross-border tensions. In a statement, the State Department said the talks, held on May 14 and 15, focused on ...

Iran FM Says U.S. Willing to Continue Talks, Open to China's Help

This is Beirut 15/05 15:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday he had "received messages" from the United States saying it is willing to continue talks and that he was open to any support, including from China. "We received messages again from the Americans saying that they are willing to continue the talks and continue the ...

Trump: ‘Decimation’ of Iran 'To Be Continued' After Talks With Xi

This is Beirut 15/05 12:45 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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U.S. President Donald Trump signaled Thursday that Washington could resume military operations against Iran despite the fragile ceasefire currently in place, while simultaneously seeking Chinese support to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and contain the regional crisis threatening global energy markets. The remarks came after Trump met Chinese ...

Iraq PM Vows Monopoly on Arms as Parliament Approves Government

This is Beirut 15/05 11:25 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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Iraqi lawmakers approved a new government on Thursday led by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who vowed to ensure a state monopoly on weapons amid growing US pressure to dismantle Tehran-backed groups. Iraq has long walked a tightrope between the competing influences of its allies, neighboring Iran and the United States. Iraq's parliament voted ...

IDF Intensifies Strikes in Southern Lebanon and Bekaa Valley as Washington Hosts Third Round of Talks

This is Beirut 14/05 21:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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On the same day that the third round of indirect negotiations between Lebanon and Israel reportedly began in Washington, the Israeli military announced a significant escalation of operations in southern Lebanon. In an official statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that over the past 24 hours it had struck approximately 65 targets ...

CENTCOM Pushes Lebanese Army Support as Hezbollah Supply Routes Collapse

This is Beirut 14/05 20:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing held today, Chairman Roger Wicker questioned Admiral Brad Cooper on Iran’s continued support for regional proxy groups, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, amid ongoing U.S. military operations in the Middle East. Wicker stressed that Iran’s influence extends beyond its nuclear ...

State Department Offers $15 Million Reward Targeting IRGC Financial Networks

This is Beirut 14/05 17:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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The U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program announced a reward of up to $15 million for information that could help disrupt the financial mechanisms of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. According to the statement, the initiative specifically targets financial channels linked ...

Israeli Ministry of Defense Signs Deal to Extend Range of F-35I Adir Fleet

This is Beirut 14/05 15:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Israel

The Israeli Ministry of Defense has signed a new contract with Cyclone, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, to develop an extended-range capability for Israel’s fleet of F-35I Adir fighter jets. The agreement, valued at more than $34 million (over 100 million shekels), includes the development and integration of external fuel tanks intended to ...

Lebanon, Israel to Hold New Direct Talks in Washington as Ceasefire Nears End

This is Beirut 14/05 13:10 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Lebanon Israel Washington Ceasefire Donald Trump

Lebanon and Israel are set to hold a new round of peace talks in Washington on Thursday as their latest ceasefire agreement, which remains formally in effect, approaches its expiration. Israel's military said it was striking Hezbollah targets in south Lebanon on Thursday after warning residents of several towns and villages there and in the ...

Vessel Off UAE Coast 'Taken', Now Bound for Iran Waters: UK Maritime Agency

This is Beirut 14/05 12:55 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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A ship off the UAE coast near the Strait of Hormuz has been taken by unknown people and is now headed towards Iranian waters, a UK maritime agency said on Thursday. The vessel was "taken by unauthorised personnel whilst at anchor" 38 nautical miles (70 kilometres) northeast of Fujairah, and "is now bound for Iranian territorial ...

Iran Says Has 'Right to Respond' After Kuwait Arrests Four Citizens

This is Beirut 13/05 21:20 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Iran's foreign minister said Wednesday that Tehran had the right to respond after he accused Kuwait of attacking an Iranian boat and arresting four of its citizens in the Gulf, calling for their release. "In a clear attempt to sow discord, Kuwait has unlawfully attacked an Iranian boat and detained 4 of our citizens in the Persian Gulf. This ...